Current management of von Willebrand disease and von Willebrand syndrome

Anesthetic Management Including Postoperative Regional Anesthesia in a Young Adult Patient With Von Willebrand Disease and Osteogenesis Imperfecta

There are no established guidelines regarding anesthesia with a peripheral nerve block (PNB) in the young adult population with von Willebrand disease (vWD) type I. We present a case of a successful PNB outcome in a 20-year-old male patient with vWD type I, osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who underwent an intramedullary nailing surgery after suffering a left distal femur fracture secondary to a sports injury. Before the procedure, the patient was treated with HUMATE-P® [antihemophilic factor and von Willebrand factor (human)], ALPHANATE^® (antihemophilic factor/von Willebrand factor complex), and aminocaproic acid for hematologic control. Left femoral and popliteal nerve blocks were performed for postoperative pain control. The patient was discharged home uneventfully three days after the surgery. In this case, PNB proved to be a safe and effective alternative in the management of a vWD type I young adult patient with comorbidities. Given the lack of established guidelines, a multidisciplinary team should be involved in the pre and perioperative management of these patients due to the risk of delayed bleeding.

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome: focused for hematologists

The acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AvWS) is a rare bleeding disorder with laboratory findings similar to those of inherited von Willebrand disease. However, unlike the inherited disease, AvWS occurs in persons with no personal and family history of bleeding and is often associated with a variety of underlying diseases, most frequently lymphoproliferative, myeloproliferative and cardiovascular disorders. After the presentation of a typical case, in this narrative review we discuss the more recent data on the pathophysiology, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic aspects of this acquired bleeding syndrome. We chose to focus particularly on those aspects of greater interest for the hematologist.

Dental invasive procedures in von Willebrand disease outpatients treated with high purity FVIII/VWF complex concentrate (Fanhdi®): experience of a single center

PURPOSE

To retrospectively assess the effectiveness and safety of customized hemostatic protocols using a plasma-derived, von Willebrand Factor (VWF)-containing Factor VIII concentrate (pdVWF/FVIII) in von Willebrand disease (VWD) patients undergoing dental invasive procedures.

METHODS

Protocol for each patient was drawn up by the Blood Unit based on the VWD type, disease severity, and type of treatment. pdFVIII/VWF infusions and doses were registered at 30-60 min before intervention (t0) and at 12-24-36-48-72 h after intervention (t12-t72) and up to day 7. Any peri- or postoperative bleeding, complication or adverse event was registered.

RESULTS

Forty-five dental procedures were performed on 20 VWD patients (six type-1, two type-2a, six type-2b, six type-3). Most pdFVIII/VWF infusions at t0 were 60 IU/kg (n = 7) and 50 IU/kg (n = 9). Subsequent infusions were mostly 30-50 IU/kg. No bleeding complications or adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the safety and efficacy of pdFVIII/VWF to prevent peri- and postoperative bleeding after invasive oral procedures.

Perioperative management of a pediatric patient with suspected type 1 von Willebrand disease undergoing tonsillectomy: a case report

Background

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in humans. Coagulopathies such as VWD are evidently risk factors for post-surgical bleeding. Perioperative management of patients with VWD remains controversial and is a major clinical concern.

Case presentation

A 5-year-old girl was scheduled for tonsillectomy under general anesthesia. Preoperative laboratory tests revealed prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time and a mild decrease in von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity. Prophylactic administration of desmopressin or VWF was not performed. During tonsillectomy, oozing from the surgical wound was uncontrollable by conventional hemostasis techniques, but complete hemostasis was ensured by plasma-derived coagulation factor VIII concentrate containing VWF.

Conclusion

Pediatric patients with mild abnormalities in preoperative laboratory tests may have coagulopathies. Prophylactic intervention and/or the preparation of a sufficient amount of coagulation factor VIII concentrate containing VWF may be required in patients suspected of having VWD or with mild VWF deficiency.

Hemostatic abnormalities in adult patients with Marfan syndrome

Background

Aortic root ectasia might induce hemostatic disorders in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) via altered blood flow and rheology. The aim of this study was to explore the hemostasis in patients with MFS compared with healthy controls.

Methods

In this cross-sectional case-control study we included patients with verified MFS (n=51) and sex- and age-matched healthy controls (n=50). Main criteria were the aortic root in echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the coagulation status.

Results

When compared with healthy controls, patients with MFS showed significantly increased diameters of the aortic roots (43.0±7.72 vs. 28.8±3.74 mm, P<0.001) and aortic Z-scores (4.36±2.77 vs. 0.948±1.09, P<0.001), considerably higher values of Multiplate^® tests (e.g., MP-ADP: 878.4±201.7 vs. 660.4±243.6 AU*min, P<0.001) and PFA-100^® tests (PFA Col/ADP: 102.5±45.5 vs. 91.1±46.2 s, P<0.05), PTT (30.0±3.91 vs. 28.7±2.50 s, P<0.05) and D-dimers (0.488±0.665 vs. 0.254±0.099 mg/L, P<0.001). In MFS von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity (81.9%±41.8% vs. 106.3%±41.5%, P<0.05) and antigen (93.8%±43.9% vs. 118.8%±47.8%, P<0.05) and factor VIII activity (108.9%±29.6% vs. 126.7%±28.4%, P<0.05) were reduced. Significant positive correlations were found between aortic diameters and D-dimers (all P<0.05), as well as PFA Col/ADP (all P<0.01) in MFS patients. Factor VIII activity correlated significantly negatively with the diameter of the aortic root in MFS (r=-0.55, P<0.05).

Conclusions

In conclusion, our study reveals hemostatic deviations in patients with MFS. Further studies are necessary to understand the causal relationship and the exact pathomechanism.

Fatal Intramyocardial Hemorrhage After Pericardiotomy in a Patient With von Willebrand Disease

Patients with large pericardial effusions and possible tamponade undergoing general anesthesia for pericardial drainage are generally thought to be at a highest risk of cardiovascular collapse before drainage of the effusion. Here, we report a case of extensive and fatal intramyocardial hemorrhage after drainage of a pericardial effusion in a patient with von Willebrand disease.